By Alexander Cornwell and Nidal al-Mughrabi KIRYAT GAT, Israel (Reuters) -The U.S. increased pressure on Hamas on Tuesday to disarm in the next phase of an already fragile Gaza ceasefire as President Donald Trump pushed to cement an end to the devastating conflict.

Every night the parents of Omer Neutra, whose remains are thought to be held by Hamas, wait for news of his return.

Israel said Sunday it responded after "terrorists" attacked troops operating in the Rafah area with gunfire and an anti-tank missile. Hamas said it was unaware of the clashes.

President Donald Trump warns Hamas the U.S.-brokered Gaza truce must hold, vowing serious consequences if violence resumes, as Vice President JD Vance to visit Israel.

Israel said it carried out air strikes on Gaza Oct. 19 after its troops were attacked, sending the ceasefire into uncertainty.

Trump said on Monday that the US would destroy Hamas if the militant group didn’t continue to honor the ceasefire with Israel.

Hamas has deployed hundreds of police and clashed with armed groups in Gaza in what the militant group says is an attempt to restore law and order in areas where Israeli troops have withdrawn for the U.

In a visit to Israel, US vice-president JD Vance said on Tuesday that the implementation of the Gaza ceasefire plan was “going better than expected,” but warned the Palestinian militant group it would be obliterated if it did not co-operate.

Numerous senior U. S. officials continue to descend on Israel to keep tabs on the fragile ceasefire between Hamas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.